COMPASSION

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

"Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation."

- Henry Ward Beecher

As I travel around OHIO and present the opiate challenge to faith and church leaders, I always make a point of sharing an incredibly disappointing observation.  Some time ago the addicted community was surveyed.  They were asked to share their impressions of “the church”.

And after the results were tallied, the church didn’t fare to well.

This community of folks were quick to categorize “the church” as:

1.   Hypocritical

2.   Homophobic

3.   Judgmental

Ouch.

But true?

That is a good question.  But like most of us know, “perception often substitutes for reality”. 

Just watch the news, right?

Yet this quote from Beecher caught my eye on the heels of a little teaching that my local Pastor shared yesterday.  He was encouraging the congregation to operate with COMPASSION; channeling this little lyric from Amanda Cook, “mercy triumphs over judgment” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sILwvJShMV8 

Reminded me that Mother Teresa once remarked, “if you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

True.

I know in my line of work, most folks struggling with the disease of addiction have felt judged by the “the church”; disenfranchised and unwelcome.

That is tragic.

Jesus was the model of compassion.

Lame.

Sinful.

Outcasts.

Lepers. All, were shown compassion.

Paralyzed men on mats, adulterous women at wells, broken men lame at pools, all were shown compassion.  In fact, Jesus’ compassion even caused Him to lament, 

“How often I’ve ached to embrace your children…”Matthew 23:37 (MSG)

That is the kind of compassion Jesus calls "the church" (US) to demonstrate.

Therefore as “the church” and following the lead of Jesus, we need to be seeking ways and opportunities to offer compassion to those around us.

"People may excite in themselves a glow of compassion, not by toasting their feet at the fire, and saying: "Lord, teach me compassion," but by going and seeking an object that requires compassion."- Henry Ward Beecher

Where are those “objects” that need some of your compassion today?

Let me tell you, they are all around you.  They sit in the pew next to you on Sunday.  They have kids who are struggling. They have jobs that suck the life out of them.  Many are dry, exhausted, and bewildered.

Will you be the one to inject some fresh air, refresh their perspectives, change the trajectory of their day by showing a little compassion? 

Maybe a note of encouragement?

A phone call to let them know you are praying for them?

An offer to help ease some of the pressures?

Remember:

as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion...

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

And then show it.

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE